Roots and Wings: Adulting 101

Adulting 101 was filled with hands-on learning, meaningful conversations, and the kind of connection that helps teens step into their futures with confidence. Each session offered something different—new skills, new challenges, and new ways to show up for ourselves and each other.

Week 1: Navigating TRAX & Navigating Independence

We kicked things off alongside the 1999 Collective with a crash course in the SLC TRAX system. After dinner and treats from Kneaders, we jumped into learning how public transit works. Our group rode from Ballpark to City Center, explored Gallivan Plaza through a scavenger hunt, and even visited the planetarium. Along the way, teens broke the ice, built confidence, and shared a lot of laughter.

Week 2: Healthy Relationships

Our session on healthy relationships sparked powerful and honest discussions. Teens opened up about boundaries, trust, communication, and what it actually means to build healthy connections. Hearing them share insights and support one another made it clear how thoughtful, wise, and self-aware this group truly is.

Week 3: Budgeting Basics

This week brought a crash course in money management—from paychecks and savings to needs versus wants. Teens practiced budgeting on paper, learned about bank accounts, and worked together to make sense of the numbers. This session was about more than math; it was about building confidence and giving teens the tools to feel capable of navigating financial decisions.

Week 4: Car Maintenance 101

We rolled up our sleeves for a hands-on lesson in essential car care. Teens

changed tires, learned to check oil, and practiced refilling coolant. They jumped right in, helping one another through each step. There was teamwork, problem-solving, and plenty of laughter as everyone picked up practical skills that build both confidence and independence.

Week 5: Resumes and Job Readiness

These weeks were all about showing up for your future. Teens learned how to build strong resumes, search for jobs, and navigate professionalism in the workplace. With guidance from mentors—and support from the PROG Foundation’s career closet—everyone picked out interview outfits and received one-on-one coaching to help them feel prepared and empowered for upcoming opportunities.

Week 6: Hygiene and Health

This session focused on caring for yourself inside and out. Teens learned about personal hygiene, sexual health and wellness, sleep routines, and how to access reliable resources. Their questions and openness shaped the conversation, proving again that growth happens when we create space for honesty, learning, and support.

Week 7: Cooking Skills with Chef Fran

Under the guidance of Chef Fran, we turned simple ingredients into homemade soup, cornbread, and fresh-cut fries. Teens cooked together, taste-tested each other’s creations, and gained practical kitchen skills they’ll use for years. It was one of our most joyful sessions yet—full of teamwork, creativity, and delicious food.

Week 8: Housing

This culminating week focused on a topic that sets the foundation for future independence: housing. Together, we walked through practical, real-world skills. The group explored how to navigate the housing application process, learned how to read and understand rental contracts, and participated in role-playing exercises designed to build confidence in communicating with landlords and neighbors. These hands-on scenarios sparked thoughtful questions, plenty of laughter, and some truly impressive problem-solving from our young participants.

Adulting 101 isn’t just about skills. It’s about community, confidence, and connection. Each week, teens learned not only how to navigate the world, but how to support one another while doing it. This group continues to show that when young people are given a safe, empowering environment, they rise—with curiosity, courage, and a whole lot of heart.